Backpack dividers

ABSTRACT

A backpack including dividers that are provided to form a plurality of compartments in a backpack for storing papers, binders, file folders, books, and the like. The dividers can be permanently or detachably secured to the backpack. The dividers can include identification tabs for identifying the compartments. The identification tabs can be color coded or include identifying indicia. The backpack can also include individual closure means for opening and closing the compartment. The individual closure means can include identification tabs for identifying the compartments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/562,670, filed Apr. 15, 2004, which is incorporated in thisspecification by reference.

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to backpacks, and more particularly relates tostructures insertable or built into a backpack to form separatecompartments in the backpack for storing papers, binders, file folders,books, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

2. Background Information

Backpacks of various types are well known in the art for transportingarticles.

Typically, a backpack is quasirectangular in shape and comprises onemain compartment in which the majority of the articles to be transportedare stored, and one or more smaller outer compartments in which smallerarticles are stored. An example of such a backpack is shown anddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,978. Since known backpacks of this typetypically include only one main compartment, the user is forced to storemost of the articles in the main compartment without means fororganization.

Backpacks are popularly used by students at all educational levels tocarry papers, binders, file folders, books, and the like to and fromschool. While students often have more than one class and need totransport such items (e.g., notes, handouts, assignments) for eachclass, students are limited in their ability to organize and storeseparately the items for each class because these items must be storedtogether in the main compartment. Consequently, items for each class aremixed with items for the other classes and students may need to browsethrough all the items for all the classes stored in the backpack inorder to find a particular item for a particular class.

Especially typical in high schools and middle schools, students throwpapers into their backpacks randomly throughout the school day,returning home with a mess of disorganized class notes and homeworkassignments.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a backpackthat will allow the user to organize the articles to be transported.Particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide abackpack or an insert for a backpack that will allow a student toreadily organize various items by subject matter or class, allowing thestudent to more easily file and retrieve by individual subject classwork received during the school day.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one preferred embodiment according to the present invention, abackpack includes an outer bag having some means for wearing the bag onthe back of a user, and a plurality of dividers in the bag formingseparate compartments in the bag. The dividers are adapted to organizeone or more items in the compartments.

In other preferred embodiments according to the present invention, thedividers may be permanently or detachably secured to the outer bag, ormay include a divider unit or a divider insert.

In another preferred embodiment according to the present invention, thebackpack also includes individual closure means for opening and closingthe respective compartments.

In yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention,the backpack includes some means for detachably securing a dividerinsert in the bag. For example, the means for detachably securing theinsert in the bag may be VELCRO or one or more magnetic strips.

In yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention,each individual closure means is a zipper.

In yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention,one or more compartments are expandable.

In yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention,the backpack includes one ore more identification tabs connected to oneor more individual closure means.

In yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention,one or more dividers includes one ore more identification tabs connectedto the divider.

In yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention,the identification tabs are color coded.

In yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention,the identification tabs include identifying indicia on the tabs.

Yet another preferred embodiment according to the present inventionprovides an insert dimensioned to be affixed in a backpack. The insertincludes a plurality of dividers forming separate compartments that areadapted to organize one or more items in each compartment, and somemeans for securing the dividers within the backpack.

In yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention,a backpack includes an outer bag having means for wearing the bag on theback of a user, and a plurality of dividers in the bag forming separateelongated compartments adjacent one another in the bag. The dividers areadapted to organize one or more items in the compartments.

In yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention,a divider insert for backpacks includes a plurality of dividers formingseparate elongated compartments adjacent one another. The dividers areadapted to organize one or more items in the compartments and aredimensioned to be received inside a backpack. The insert also includesmeans for securing the plurality of dividers within the backpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front and left-side perspective view of a backpack accordingto one preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated without thefront, left, and top panels to show the dividers inside the backpack.

FIG. 2 is a front and left-side perspective view of a divider insertaccording to one preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front and right-side perspective view of a backpackaccording to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front and right-side perspective view of a backpackaccording to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 depicts a backpack according to one preferred embodiment of theinvention. In FIG. 1 the top, left, and front panels are not shown inorder to reveal the dividers inside the backpack. Specifically, FIG. 1shows a backpack 2 having an outer bag 4 with divider unit 30 insideouter bag 4. The backpack 2 has shoulder straps 12, a plurality of outercompartments 50, and a main compartment 20 in which the divider unit 30is provided. The divider unit 30 has a bottom panel 40 that ispermanently secured to the bottom of the backpack 2 by fixed securingmeans 42. Examples of the fixed securing means 42 are rivets, grommets,screws, stitching, and adhesive. Those skilled in the art will recognizeother suitable structures and methods that may be used.

Although a backpack with the divider unit 30 as depicted in FIG. 1represents one preferred backpack construction, for this invention“backpack divider” means any plurality of dividers suitable for storingand organizing items that is built into, fixedly secured to, orotherwise integrated with a backpack.

Also for this invention, “items” means articles made up of one or moresheets—loose or bound—such as paper (plain, bond, matte, glossy,premium, etc.), looseleaf and other binders, file folders and otherfiling supplies, notebooks, pads, books, transparencies, photos, and thelike.

Regarding another preferred embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a divider insert60, which is dimensioned to be received in a main compartment of aconventional backpack known in the art. In this embodiment, dividerinsert 60 is generally identical to divider unit 30 shown in FIG. 1,except that the bottom panel 40 of divider insert 60 is provided withdetachable securing means 44 for detachably securing the bottom panel 40to the bottom of the backpack. Examples of detachable securing means 44are one or more magnetic strips, VELCRO, and a zipper. Skilled artisanswill recognize other suitable structure and methods that may be used.

Both divider unit 30 and divider insert 60 have a plurality of dividers34 forming separate compartments 36 that are defined by dividers 34,side panels 38, and bottom panel 40. Identification tabs 32, which areconnected to each divider 34 for identifying the content stored in thecompartment 36, may also be provided. Dividers 34 may, for example, beconstructed of plastic, vinyl, or nylon, and may be opaque, translucent,or transparent. Again, skilled artisans will recognize other suitablematerials that may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the divider unit 30 and divider insert 60 maybe provided with one or more frames 46 in order to strengthen them ormaintain their shapes. Frames 46 may, for example, be constructed ofmetal, plastic, or any other suitable material known in the art. Thedivider unit 30 and divider insert 60 may also be provided with outersides 48, which preferably are taller than dividers 34, for support inbackpack 2.

Although the divider insert 60 as depicted in FIG. 2 represents onepreferred insert construction, for this invention “divider insert” meansany plurality of dividers suitable for storing and organizing items thatis insertable into, removably secured to, or otherwise not itselfintegrated with a backpack.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, backpack 2 is provided withindividual closure means 16 associated with compartments 36 for openingand closing each compartment 36. Examples of individual closure means 16are one or more magnetic strips, VELCRO, and a zipper. Skilled artisanswill recognize other suitable structure and methods that may be used andvariations on each suitable structure. In preferred embodiments, azipper has a single pull or a double pull. Each individual closure means16 is provided with an identification tab 14 for identifying the contentstored in each compartment 36; in the example of FIG. 3, eachidentification tab 14 forms part of a zipper pull, which is part ofindividual closure means 16.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the identification tabs 14 includeidentifying indicia on each tab for identifying the content stored ineach compartment 34. As shown in this example, the five identificationtabs 14 are labeled “M,” “S,” “SS,” “E,” and “L” to indicate courses fora student that include Math, Science, Social Studies, English, andLanguage, respectively. These labels are just one example of theidentifying indicia; other letters, words, characters, symbols,patterns, colors, or any combination of those may also be used. Asanother example, the five identification tabs 14 may be yellow, green,black, blue, and orange to identify Math, Science, Social Studies,English, and Language, respectively.

Moreover, any subject matter—not just school courses—can be identifiedwith labels as described. And backpack 2 may be provided with additionalblank labels so that the user can customize and replace each of theidentifying indicia on the identification tabs 14.

The identification tabs 14 may be attached to or a part of theindividual closure means 16. For example, if each individual closuremeans 16 is a double-pull zipper, the identification tabs 14 may beattached to one or both zipper pulls. As another example, one or morezipper pulls themselves may constitute the identification tabs 14.

In one preferred embodiment, backpack 2 is approximately 13.5″ tall and13″ wide. Preferably, the backpack 2 and the divider unit 30 or dividerinsert are constructed of materials that are flexible, lightweight, andbendable. For example, the materials may include a combination ofheavy-duty and lightweight plastic with padding in some areas, as wellas vinyl and nylon. Other suitable materials will be apparent.

In this preferred embodiment, the dividers are approximately 1.5″ to 2″apart. Also, side panels 38 are preferably constructed of flexiblematerials (such as vinyl gusseting, nylon, fisherman's net) orexpandable elastic materials, making the dividers expandable. The sidepanels 38 preferably extend vertically approximately two-thirds of theheight of the dividers 34.

In other preferred embodiments, the identification tabs 14 of theclosure means 16 or the identification tabs 32 of the dividers 34 arecolor coded.

In other preferred embodiments, the identification tabs 14 of theclosure means 16 or the identification tabs 32 of the dividers 34 arelabeled.

In other preferred embodiments, the identification tabs 14 of theclosure means 16 or the identification tabs 32 of the dividers 34 arereplaceable.

In another preferred embodiment, closure means 16 are zippers.

In other preferred embodiments, the divider unit 30 or the dividerinsert 60 includes five individual compartments.

An example of how one preferred embodiment according to the inventionwould be used is as follows. A backpack includes a backpack unit withfive compartments and five zippered individual closure means, each withone of five different color-coded zipper pulls. During a particularclass/subject, a student keeps open only the color-coded, zipperedcompartment corresponding to that class/subject, and keeps the fourother color-coded, zippered compartments closed. This helps ensure thatconfusion and inconvenience about placing in an organized manner new orold papers pertaining to that class/subject are minimized.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. The invention isdefined by the appended claims; no other limitation—such as details ofthe specific preferred embodiments disclosed—is intended or should beinferred.

1. A backpack comprising: (a) an outer bag having means for wearing thebag on the back of a user; and (b) a plurality of dividers in the bagforming separate compartments in the bag and adapted to organize one ormore items in the compartments.
 2. A backpack as claimed in claim 1,further comprising individual closure means, each for opening andclosing the respespective compartments.
 3. A backpack as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the plurality of dividers comprises a divider unit thatis fixedly secured to the outer bag.
 4. A backpack as claimed in claim1, wherein the plurality of dividers comprises a divider insert that isdetachably secured to the outer bag.
 5. A backpack as claimed in claim1, further comprising means for detachably securing the plurality ofdividers to the outer bag.
 6. A backpack as claimed in claim 5, whereinthe means for detachably securing comprises VELCRO.
 7. A backpack asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the means for detachably securing comprisesone or more magnetic strips.
 8. A backpack as claimed in claim 2,wherein the individual closure means is a zipper.
 9. A backpack asclaimed in claim 1, wherein one or more compartments are expandable. 10.A backpack as claimed in claim 4, wherein the divider insert isdetachably secured at its lower ends.
 11. A backpack as claimed in claim2, further comprising one or more identification tabs connected to oneor more of the individual closure means.
 12. A backpack as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the identification tabs are color coded.
 13. Abackpack as claimed in claim 11, wherein the identification tabscomprise identifying indicia thereon.
 14. A divider insert for backpackscomprising: (a) a plurality of dividers forming separate compartments,the dividers being adapted to organize one or more items in eachcompartment and being dimensioned to be received inside a backpack; and(b) means for securing the plurality of dividers within the backpack.15. A divider insert as claimed in claim 14, further comprising one ormore identification tabs for identifying one or more of thecompartments.
 16. A divider insert as claimed in claim 5, wherein theidentification tabs are color coded.
 17. A divider insert as claimed inclaim 15, wherein the identification tabs comprise identifying indiciathereon.
 18. A divider insert as claimed in claim 14, wherein one ormore of the compartments are expandable.
 19. A divider insert as claimedin claim 14, wherein the means for securing the dividers comprisesVELCRO.
 20. A divider insert as claimed in claim 14, wherein the meansfor securing comprises one or more magnetic strips.
 21. A backpackcomprising: (a) an outer bag having means for wearing the bag on theback of a user; and (b) a plurality of dividers in the bag formingseparate elongated compartments adjacent one another in the bag andadapted to organize one or more items in the compartments.
 22. A dividerinsert for backpacks comprising: (a) a plurality of dividers formingseparate elongated compartments adjacent one another, the dividers beingadapted to organize one or more items in the compartments and beingdimensioned to be received inside a backpack; and (b) means for securingthe plurality of dividers within the backpack.